Week 7 – Frame done!

Our next update comes with the timber frame structure complete! Not without a few hiccups along the way but when one of the erectors said at the start of the week that he was going on holidays on Thursday so we had to be done by Wednesday night, we were both excited but also a little concerned that we would be done by then!

But true to their word we had a completed structure by Weds night after it was started on only Monday the week before – a grand total of 8 days!

We may have started this Monday with some missing pieces to our big jigsaw (much concern on site and a few choice words spoken) but we had those bits with us the very next day to enable everyone to crack on and hit the deadline!

Here is the view from the top side of the property showing what you can see from the road:

It is a shame that the site is so narrow as it is difficult to get a good view if the property in its overall glory. The view is masked by fences an all sides and the high fence at the front and the fact that the property is set down at a lower level than ground at the front makes it very tricky to see.
The day that the front fence comes down we will make sure we get a good shot as it will be our only chance to see the front of the house properly!
Here is view from the other side:

The rain had just bucketed down but here is small glimpse of the larch cladding against the neighbour’s bamboo plant – a nice contrast!

The key difference this week is that we have a roof. Here is the profile from the front:

Inside though the house is darker now as all of the skylights have been boarded up until they arrive to be fitted, but we can now see how big these holes in our roof will be, and how much light they should let in.
Here is a view of the kitchen as it stands currently:

Out of the rear windows of the property we can see how surprisingly light this rear lounge/dining area will be. Two skylights will break up this roof section meaning this entire back area will be flooded with light.

Before the internal ceiling is finished this shows you a view of how the roof all fitted together.

Decision now needs to be made and finalised on internal layout for lighting and electrical connections, all of which will be needed very soon.
The full team starts on site next week to take our little house through the next phase of its life.

For now we are delighted with where we have got to… We spent much of our recent visit just staring at the walls, the floor, the spaces, imagining the next steps and just drinking in what was before us. There was certainly a moment of realisation of how amazing it was that we have reached this point, overcome all the hurdles and that we are well on our way to creating something special!

We will update next week with more details of the more technical details which will come next.
As an update on timeframes etc. for now our project is running around 3-4 weeks behind and approximately £5,500 over budget.